Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has announced the recovery of Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan’s body, killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut alongside Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Confusion surrounds Esmail Qaani, head of the Quds Force, who has not appeared publicly post-strikes, as investigations into security breaches affecting their operations proceed amid heightened tensions with Israel.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has announced the recovery of the body of Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, a senior Quds Force general, who was killed alongside Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during an Israeli air strike in Beirut on September 27. General Nilforoushan had traveled from Tehran to attend a meeting with Nasrallah that fateful evening, shortly before the air strike targeted Hezbollah’s operations center in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital. The IRGC expressed its commitment to honor the general, stating that further details regarding the transfer and burial of Nilforoushan will be disclosed at a later date. Amid these developments, there remain queries about Esmail Qaani, the head of the Quds Force, who has not made a public appearance following the strikes. Reports suggest that Qaani may have been present in Beirut during another significant air strike on October 4, which is believed to have claimed the life of Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s potential successor. While speculation circulated regarding Qaani’s status, Middle East Eye indicated he is currently under guard as part of an ongoing Iranian investigation looking into security vulnerabilities that facilitated Israeli operations. Additionally, this investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding Nilforoushan’s interaction with Nasrallah the night of their deaths. Sources indicated that Nilforoushan had arrived in Beirut and proceeded directly to the operations room, where the strike occurred shortly after Nasrallah’s arrival. The IRGC remains vigilant, having recently launched attacks on Israel in retaliation for the ongoing conflict and killings within Lebanon and Gaza. Israel has vowed a decisive response, with its defense minister emphasizing the nature of the forthcoming retaliatory strikes. General Nilforoushan had recently taken charge of operations in Syria and Lebanon after the death of his predecessor. Qaani was appointed to lead the Quds Force in January 2020, following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani in a US drone attack.
The article discusses the recent recovery of the body of an Iranian general, Abbas Nilforoushan, who was killed in a significant air strike in Lebanon, alongside prominent Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The context surrounds ongoing tensions in the region, particularly between Iran and Israel, especially following the alleged security breaches that facilitated these targeted attacks. The implications of these events are broad, affecting regional security dynamics and internal investigations within the IRGC regarding their operational security.
In conclusion, the recovery of General Abbas Nilforoushan’s body represents a critical development in the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel. As investigations unfold within the IRGC regarding security failures, the presence and status of Esmail Qaani remain pivotal. The situation continues to escalate, marking a significant juncture in the enduring conflicts in the region, particularly in relation to Hezbollah and Iranian operations in Lebanon and Syria.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
